Model Comparison

GLM-5 vs Step-3.5-FlashWhich is better in 2026?

GLM-5 significantly outperforms across most benchmarks. Step-3.5-Flash is 8.9x cheaper per token.

Verdict: GLM-5 vs Step-3.5-Flash — which is better?

GLM-5 (by Zhipu AI) and Step-3.5-Flash (by StepFun) are two of the AI models people compare most. Here is how they stack up on benchmarks, price and capabilities, and which one to pick in 2026.

GLM-5 outperforms in 3 benchmarks (BrowseComp, SWE-Bench Verified, Terminal-Bench 2.0), while Step-3.5-Flash is better at 0 benchmarks. GLM-5 significantly outperforms across most benchmarks.

On price, Step-3.5-Flash is roughly 8.9x cheaper per token on a blended 3:1 input/output basis, which adds up quickly at production volume.

GLM-5 also accepts a larger context window (200,000 input tokens), making it the stronger choice for long documents and large codebases.

Choose GLM-5 if…

  • you want the strongest raw capability — it leads on 3 of 3 shared benchmarks
  • you process long inputs — it offers a 200,000 token context window
  • you want the most recent training data — it shipped Feb 2026

Choose Step-3.5-Flash if…

  • cost matters — it's about 8.9x cheaper per token

Performance Benchmarks

Comparative analysis across standard metrics

3 benchmarks

GLM-5 outperforms in 3 benchmarks (BrowseComp, SWE-Bench Verified, Terminal-Bench 2.0), while Step-3.5-Flash is better at 0 benchmarks.

GLM-5 significantly outperforms across most benchmarks.

Tue Jul 14 2026 • llm-stats.com

Arena Performance

Human preference votes

Pricing Analysis

Price comparison per million tokens

Step-3.5-Flash costs less

For input processing, GLM-5 ($1.00/1M tokens) is 10.0x more expensive than Step-3.5-Flash ($0.10/1M tokens).

For output processing, GLM-5 ($3.20/1M tokens) is 8.0x more expensive than Step-3.5-Flash ($0.40/1M tokens).

In conclusion, GLM-5 is more expensive than Step-3.5-Flash.*

* Using a 3:1 ratio of input to output tokens

Lowest available price from all providers
Tue Jul 14 2026 • llm-stats.com
Zhipu AI
GLM-5
Input tokens$1.00
Output tokens$3.20
Best providerFriendliAI
StepFun
Step-3.5-Flash
Input tokens$0.10
Output tokens$0.40
Best providerStepFun
Notice missing or incorrect data?Start an Issue→

Model Size

Parameter count comparison

548.0B diff

GLM-5 has 548.0B more parameters than Step-3.5-Flash, making it 279.6% larger.

Zhipu AI
GLM-5
744.0Bparameters
StepFun
Step-3.5-Flash
196.0Bparameters
744.0B
GLM-5
196.0B
Step-3.5-Flash

Context Window

Maximum input and output token capacity

GLM-5 accepts 200,000 input tokens compared to Step-3.5-Flash's 65,536 tokens. GLM-5 can generate longer responses up to 128,000 tokens, while Step-3.5-Flash is limited to 8,192 tokens.

Zhipu AI
GLM-5
Input200,000 tokens
Output128,000 tokens
StepFun
Step-3.5-Flash
Input65,536 tokens
Output8,192 tokens
Tue Jul 14 2026 • llm-stats.com

License

Usage and distribution terms

GLM-5 is licensed under MIT, while Step-3.5-Flash uses Apache 2.0.

License differences may affect how you can use these models in commercial or open-source projects.

GLM-5

MIT

Open weights

Step-3.5-Flash

Apache 2.0

Open weights

Release Timeline

When each model was launched

GLM-5 was released on 2026-02-11, while Step-3.5-Flash was released on 2026-02-02.

GLM-5 is 0 month newer than Step-3.5-Flash.

GLM-5

Feb 11, 2026

5 months ago

1w newer
Step-3.5-Flash

Feb 2, 2026

5 months ago

Knowledge Cutoff

When training data ends

Neither model specifies a knowledge cutoff date.

Unable to compare the recency of their training data.

No cutoff dates available

Provider Availability

GLM-5 is available from FriendliAI, ZAI. Step-3.5-Flash is available from StepFun.

GLM-5

friendli logo
FriendliAI
Input Price:Input: $1.00/1MOutput Price:Output: $3.20/1M
z logo
Unknown Organization
Input Price:Input: $1.00/1MOutput Price:Output: $3.20/1M

Step-3.5-Flash

stepfun logo
StepFun
Input Price:Input: $0.10/1MOutput Price:Output: $0.40/1M
* Prices shown are per million tokens

Outputs Comparison

Notice missing or incorrect data?Start an Issue discussion→

Key Takeaways

Zhipu AI
Larger context window (200,000 tokens)
Higher BrowseComp score (75.9% vs 69.0%)
Higher SWE-Bench Verified score (77.8% vs 74.4%)
Higher Terminal-Bench 2.0 score (56.2% vs 51.0%)
StepFun
Less expensive input tokens
Less expensive output tokens

Detailed Comparison

Interactive Arena

Judge for yourself.

Run your own prompts against GLM-5 and Step-3.5-Flash side-by-side, then vote on the output you prefer.

GLM-5
✓ Preferred
Step-3.5-Flash
Open in Playground
AI Model Comparison Table
Feature
Zhipu AI
GLM-5
StepFun
Step-3.5-Flash

FAQ

Common questions about GLM-5 vs Step-3.5-Flash.

Which is better, GLM-5 or Step-3.5-Flash?

GLM-5 significantly outperforms across most benchmarks. GLM-5 is made by Zhipu AI and Step-3.5-Flash is made by StepFun. The best choice depends on your use case — compare their benchmark scores, pricing, and capabilities above.

How does GLM-5 compare to Step-3.5-Flash in benchmarks?

GLM-5 scores t2-bench: 89.7%, SWE-Bench Verified: 77.8%, BrowseComp: 75.9%, MCP Atlas: 67.8%, Terminal-Bench 2.0: 56.2%. Step-3.5-Flash scores AIME 2025: 97.3%, Tau-bench: 88.2%, LiveCodeBench v6: 86.4%, IMO-AnswerBench: 85.4%, SWE-Bench Verified: 74.4%.

Is GLM-5 cheaper than Step-3.5-Flash?

Step-3.5-Flash is 10.0x cheaper for input tokens. GLM-5 costs $1.00/M input and $3.20/M output via friendli. Step-3.5-Flash costs $0.10/M input and $0.40/M output via stepfun.

What are the context window sizes for GLM-5 and Step-3.5-Flash?

GLM-5 supports 200K tokens and Step-3.5-Flash supports 66K tokens. A larger context window lets you process longer documents, conversations, or codebases in a single request.

What are the main differences between GLM-5 and Step-3.5-Flash?

Key differences include context window (200K vs 66K), input pricing ($1.00 vs $0.10/M), licensing (MIT vs Apache 2.0). See the full comparison above for benchmark-by-benchmark results.

Who makes GLM-5 and Step-3.5-Flash?

GLM-5 is developed by Zhipu AI and Step-3.5-Flash is developed by StepFun.

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